Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions man! I really appreciate it!!

Gotta start with introductions...could you tell the readers a little about who you are and what you do for a living...(besides backbreaking visuals!) Name, age, etc.

Name is Mel Zwyer, age 31. I work in the animation industry as a prop/background designer for DreamWorks Animation.

 

 

 

 

I see you took some time off from art...I did the same thing from 2003 to 2008. How difficult (or easy) was it to get back into the swing of things?

In terms of taking time off from art, I kinda did, and kinda didn't. I still did art on a daily basis, but it was purely for work. It payed the bills and I definetely learned some techniques, but it wasn't what I found "fun". It wasn't something I looked forward to doing in the free-time.

Getting back into doing what I want was very hard and very intimidating. First of all, I'm not that good at drawing figures. As much as I liked drawing superheroes as a kid, it wasn't really my forte. I could design/draw man-made objects with ease...drawing humans or organic figures was a pretty big challenge for me.

What drove me was all the other artists on DA and the fact that I was trying to get into storyboards for animation.

 

 

 

 

What are some things you are trying to accomplish with your art by this year's end? Goals...

My main goals are to..get better at drawing humans in different poses.

 

 

 

 

As a gamer what are somethings that attract you to purchasing the next hot thing? (Graphics, gameplay, friends,)

 Things that draw me to games...hmmm..tough one. It really must be a good whole package. Usualy its the subject matter that would grab my attention. Ie I like Call of Duty 4 and Rainbow 6 due to the whole modern military/commando aspect of it...or left 4 dead because of zombies. Next would be gameplay and graphics.

 

 

 

 

What systems do you currently own and play?

Systems I own and play: PS3 and Xbox 360. Occasionaly the Nintendo DS.

 

 

Who are some artist that catch your eye for not only creating good art, but pushing boundaries...

Artists that catch my eye..Phil Bourassa, Sean "Cheeks" Galloway and Claire Wendling are probably some of my current fave. artists.

 

 

 

Favorite comic book series right now...(for me I go through moods where my favorite series changes)

As for comic book series...I was soooo out of it for the longest time, its like trying to undertand LOST or X-FIles by jumping into the middle of it all. I was reading Secret Invasion, Marvel Zombies and Civil War..I really don't know where to start, since I didn't keep up with it. Turns out there are sooo many different books.
 

Rather than keep up with monthly issues, I usually just get paperback collections.

 

 

 

Favorite comic book artist? Why?

Favorite comic book artist: Geez..I don't have one. It changes almost everyday.

 

 

 

Favorite cartoon series?

Favorite Cartoon series: Believe it or not, one of my favorites is actually Ben 10. I know its aimed for kids, but there was something fun about the original series. Although now, its probably G.I. Joe RESOLUTE if that counts.

 

 

Dream project for you to work on...comics, animation, videogames.

Dream Project: To be able to pitch and produce a Metal Gear Solid animated series.

 

 

 

Favorite game ever?

Favorite game ever: As mentioned earlier, I tend to react to whole packages...for me, its probably BIOSHOCK. I know the game was already somewhat out-dated when it came out, but I loved the Art Direction, the music, the story, the characters...its a game I wanna go back to over and over again, hoping I'd find something I didn't catch last time. It was one of those games that left me very, very satisfied when I finished it. Looking forward to BIOSHOCK 2.